Open letter to Richard B Johnson:
Richard Johnson, after reading all the information about 87.9FM on your site and others. This whole escapade, started to sound like you may have a personal vendetta against the operator; perhaps because of the loss of your job and the failing of your current business or your pass which I will make clear later. Why else would any sane person; spend so much of their valuable time (1 year) on just this operator. When there are hundreds of ongoing violations by licensed broadcasters in the area, to keep you busy. If you were really concerned about radio stations breaking the law; there are plenty of radio stations in your area that refuse to allow inspection of their public files and for those that reluctantly agree; turns out the files have not been properly maintained in years. Why not spend your time going after those operators and provide a real community service; if your goal to clean up the airwaves? I guess too many are clients or friends of yours
(past and present).
As a broadcaster of 44 plus years, it is the backstabbing, brown nosing types like yourself I fear the most; not an unlicensed operator causing harm to no one. My policy, like many radio engineers I work with, has always been to leave unlicensed operators alone, unless they do in fact cause interference that needs to be corrected. In such a case; we make contact with the operator of the station and inform him of the problem. Then many of us will show the operator how to correct the problem. According to the FCC, hobby broadcasters cause very few problems as far as RF interference is concerned; and you and most people in this business, know it to be true if they are honest!
Richard, the fact you can't use your AM radio, because of power lines as you claimed in the FCC blog; has absolutely nothing to do with the operator in question and you know it! I too have been to the location in question and conducted RF test myself. Outside of the frequency not being kosher yet (LPTV's operating as FM's on ch6 ); the station was not causing any harmful interference to anything or anyone as you well know!
I did make contact with the operator in question, and advised him to sign off the air because of your endless complaints to anyone of power who would listen; ultimately trying to force the FCC's hand. I made it quite clear to the elderly gentleman, that I had no problem with his operation whatsoever; and liked the programming myself. I explained to him, most of us decent radio people don't make a big deal over pirates or unlicensed flea powered radio station; as long as they don't cause interference or trash talk on the air. But you have these pathetic loner types, that have to get into everybody's business; because they are miserable souls and need the company of other miserable souls.
The fact is: Thousands of radio engineers, radio station owners and disc jockeys cut their teeth at pirate or micro radio stations across the country. The late Brad Soble (Sandy Beach of KROQ) loved pirates and manufactured his own transmitters on the side. The late Dick Haskey was also a big fan of hobby radio stations; he got a big thrill "Tee Hunting" them down, along with his friend Larry King of Thousand Oaks; then asking for and getting a tour of the station.
It really makes me sick Richard, that you would spend so much of your time picking on a disabled man, instead of doing the right thing; like most decent radio people would do. Lets face it! You became obsessed trying to hurt this man anyway you could; it did not matter if he had a radio station or a pet rabbit! You were out to get him for a reason; I strongly suggest it had more to do with his late father's position as a Superior Court Judge, since you were known to light things up as a teen and your lifelong ties to the ACLU. You don't like Judges very much do you Richard?
While at the radio station in question; I took the time to show the operator an alternative to broadcasting on 87.9FM, and then helped him set up a streaming radio station; where he can reach far more people around the world. While there Richard, I also saw the damage you did to his expensive cable you cut to his antenna. I think you may have broke the law when you did that!
The station is off the air, because I handled it in a polite and courtesy way; as most decent broadcasters would. You could have done the very same thing if you weren't so fixated on making trouble for others and getting even for his late father.
Since there is an image of a person that looks just like you on the property cutting the cable; I hope and encouraged the operator to files charges against you. Now that he has signed off the air; you can't really do anything to him legally. Before I left, I talked to the local law about you; they are very much aware of you and agree you need to be watched. They will be doing extra patrols; because they think you might become unhinged and do something really stupid, because of his late fathers position.
Richard Vanowen
Richard B Johnson, you are now a target! You better be on your best behavior! You should make sure that speedometer is very accurate, don't go over the speed limit, make any illegal lane changes, don't forget to signal when you turn or change lanes. Make sure your property is up to code, and stop leaving your NAMBLA magazines for the neighborhood boys walking by your house. In the future, you should avoid pointing your weapons at teen girls walking by . The house your mother left you; should be kept up much better than you have. We will be posting updated photos here; to keep you in compliance, with your neighbors wishes.
